Yet, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has taken a firm stance on migration - making it clear she feels it is her country's duty to help those genuinely claiming asylum from war-torn countries like Syria, and calling on Europe to step up and share responsibility for the huge number of people moving across the region.

Germans are welcoming refugees into their homes, and some hold 'welcome fests' at refugee centres when new people arrive, in a picture somewhat different to the fear and hostility towards people trying to reach Britain from Calais.